The low-carbon world depends on having already started

The low-carbon world depends on having already started. Carbon is one of the most important elements for existence on planet Earth. Its emission occurs with any human activity—after all, all existing matter is composed of it. However, the unlimited use of natural resources and the high emission of monoxide and carbon dioxide have led to climate changes reaching alarming levels.

The low-carbon world is not just an idea, but an essential measure to prevent climate change from becoming even more drastic in the coming decades. Understand!

What is low-carbon

The term refers to an economic system with low emissions of pollutants causing the planet’s greenhouse effect, which receives chemical and physical equivalence to CO₂. Therefore, it encompasses technologies and behavioral changes aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and, consequently, mitigating global climate changes. In summary, it means using new methods that can reduce these emissions without affecting the economy.

To measure improvements, a comparison is needed. Knowing current emissions to measure what has been improved. Therefore, everyone needs to start.

IPCC 2021 Report: Climate Changes Are Closer Than You Think

Released in August, the sixth assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) points out that climate change will be immutable, irreversible, and even more severe if governments, companies, and industries do not mobilize to change the current situation.

Another serious point is that the increase in climate temperature by 1.5ºC to 2ºC can happen in the coming decades if there is no crucial reduction in GHG emissions in the atmosphere.

The last eight years have been the hottest ever recorded in history, and also hotter than any period in 125 thousand years, the peak of the last interglacial period. Currently, the planet’s temperature has already increased by 1.07ºC compared to the pre-industrial period (1850-1900).

Finally, the concentration of CO₂ in the atmosphere went from 317 parts per million (ppm) in 1960 to 420 ppm in 2021. In summary, despite all the studies and reports released in the last 30 years, no effective change has been made to alter this scenario.

The COP-26, eagerly awaited in November 2021, disappointed by prioritizing the economy involved in oil-producing countries and argued that very little progress has been made in viable technologies to replace this fuel, even with billions of dollars invested in encouraging more sustainable technologies.

Climate neutrality

The IPCC also reported that to prevent the temperature increase from reaching 2ºC, the balance of CO₂ emissions needs to be zero, that is, at the level of climate neutrality.

Also called carbon neutrality, climate neutrality is a complete transformation to cut the use of fossil fuels and other sources emitting carbon and other GHGs into the atmosphere. To achieve this, technological changes will be needed mainly in the textile, transport, industrial, and energy generation sectors.

For those who intrinsically need fossil fuels, the work is different: instead of complete cutting, the industry compensates. For every ton of carbon emitted, a ton must be compensated with climate protection measures, such as planting trees in reforestation areas, for example.

Brazil can lead the way by encouraging projects that harness solar rays (solar energy) and winds (wind energy).

Low carbon already exists — and your company should adopt it

Despite governments and industries failing to adopt a low-carbon economy, other companies have not only taken this responsibility upon themselves but also committed to creating and adhering to effective measures to reduce their carbon footprint in the world.

A global behavioral change will only happen when companies and industries recognize their responsibility to adopt a low-carbon economy, regardless of the organization’s size.

Every institution needs to know its carbon footprint in the world and develop its transition to a more sustainable economy. It does not need, of course, to develop all this alone.

European Union began its change

The Council of the European Union created a fund of €17.5 billion that will contribute to making the green transition fair and inclusive. Called the Just Transition Fund (JTF), the initiative will finance projects that will mitigate the socioeconomic costs of communities and industries strongly linked to the use of fossil fuels.

Technology in favor of transition

Low-carbon technologies are not ideas, but highly viable and customizable solutions for each company.

As a leader in environmental management, the multinational Ambipar has a research team capable of creating solutions based on the main markers of a company’s carbon footprint. One of its goals is also to become carbon neutral, eliminating all its GHG emissions into the atmosphere.

In this context, one of the most important steps to achieve this goal was the adoption of the Go Ethanol program, with the use of alcohol as fuel in the company’s 280 light vehicles. To ensure that employees refuel only with ethanol, the fuel voucher is programmed not to accept the payment of another type of fuel.

Additionally, its logistics route for transport with CNG-powered trucks is growing. This is a challenge that increasingly involves partnerships, both for refueling and fleet production, as well as clients engaged with this purpose.

Mapping emission sources

The main factor for adopting low carbon is knowing which processes and machinery are responsible for the largest GHG emissions in the environment. And this is possible by knowing your carbon footprint.

To facilitate this process, Ambipar created the Ambify app, available for Android and iOS. By answering a few questions, in a matter of minutes (or less), any individual will estimate the size of their carbon footprint on the planet.

Companies and individuals can purchase certified carbon credits on the international voluntary market and receive a personalized compensation certificate.

• Does your company want to adopt low-carbon measures and more sustainable production practices? Talk to a sales analyst and find out how we can help your company.